15 June 2007
Statement on strategic views
The Court of Common Council of the City of London yesterday
(Thursday) carried the following motion concerning planned changes
to the protection of strategic views in Greater London. This arose
from the City's particular responsibility as the custodian of
Hampstead Heath and the concern, shared by users of the Heath, that
the existing Strategic Views across London to St Paul's should be
protected.
Motion:
"The Council of the City of London Corporation strongly objects to
the proposed reduction of the existing Strategic View protections
of St Paul’s Cathedral, and in particular that from Parliament Hill
and Kenwood House, set out in the draft London View Management
Framework issued by the Mayor of London to take effect on 13 July
2007.
"The City submitted a detailed letter of objection in July 2005
to the original proposal, but that has been substantially ignored
in the Mayor’s final proposal. So far as the view from Hampstead
Heath is concerned, there is strong and sustained local concern at
what the Mayor proposes, and requests have been made that the City,
as guardian of Hampstead Heath, should protest most strongly to the
Mayor against his proposals which form a serious threat to the
Strategic Views from and to the Heath.
"Accordingly, this Council urges the Mayor of London to revise
his proposals so as to leave the arrangements with respect to the
Strategic Views from Parliament Hill and Kenwood House as they were
before the issuance of his draft proposed London View Management
Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance in 2005.
"This Council also urges the Secretary of State for Communities
and Local Government to withdraw the Directions under Articles
10(3) and 27 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development
Procedure) Order 1995 (Requirements for consultation relating to
the protected vistas of St Paul’s Cathedral from Parliament Hill
and Kenwood House) dated 16 May 2007 and to exercise her power of
intervention to require the Mayor of London to revise his proposals
in the manner indicated above."
The Court of Common Council is the main decision-making body of
the City of London Corporation, comprising 125 elected Members and
Aldermen for the City’s 25 wards.
Ends
The City of London Corporation provides local
government services for the Square Mile, the financial and
commercial heart of Britain. It is committed to maintaining and
enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading
international financial and business centre through its policies
and services. Its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City
boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space
including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food
markets as well as acting as the London Port Health Authority.
Lesley Mair
Press Office
City of London Corporation
Guildhall, PO Box 270, London EC2P 2EJ
Tel 020 7332 1754
Mob 07785 528 453